Career Development Student Timeline

As a first year student, you can begin to use the career services office on October 15th. We recommend that you use the preceding time to immerse yourself in your first year. Your legal career starts now. Your coursework, law school activities, community service and work experience - both before and during law school - will shape your legal career options. The Career Development Office is here to help you better define your goals and help you find the right job.

Download the Career Development Student Timeline, which is available below in .pdf format. The timeline offers a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the career development process throughout your law school career.

Services for Evening Students

The Career Development Office understands the challenges of balancing school, family and a job and will work with you to accommodate your busy schedule. We provide evening office hours, and make career counselors available, upon request, for evening and telephone appointments. In addition, the CDO will review your resume and cover letter as well as answer questions regarding job search strategy by email.

Counseling

Despite your significant time constraints, we encourage you to begin crafting a job search strategy early in your law school career. Career counselors can help you define your objectives, design a resume, draft cover letters and prepare for interviews. They can also help you develop a plan to transition to a legal position from your current job, or help you find ways to gain legal experience that will fit your schedule.

Additional relevant counseling topics include:

Identifying law-related and legal opportunities

Building time in your schedule to gain practical experience

Using your current professional experience to improve your chances of obtaining a legal position

Identifying your transferable skills

Deciding how and if to approach your current employer regarding receiving law-related assignments

Proper work attire for the legal industry

Exploring non-legal career opportunities

If you cannot find a time to meet with a career counselor, consider emailing your resume and/or cover letter and then schedule a telephone appointment to discuss them.

Career Workshops

The CDO also offers workshops, networking events and presentations during evening hours throughout the year. Check with the Office and your Widener Law email account for information concerning upcoming events.

Resources

The CDO maintains a library of directories and career books. Our resources are listed in the library catalog for ease of reference.

Job Postings/Internet Resources

Take a look at employment opportunities in Symplicity, our online job bank. Additional opportunities are available through job fairs and through internet job boards and research directories.